Militants in Pankisi Delivered Arms from Russian Military Bases, Breakaway Regions

(Tbilisi February 15, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Chechen and Arab militants, which were hiding in Pankisi gorge were armed with the weapons produced in Russia, Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania said at the government’s extended meeting on February 15.

“Weapons like Igla surface-to-air missile were delivered to militants in Pankisi from breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as from the Russian military bases deployed in Georgia,” Valeri Khaburdzania said.

Security Minister said that the militants left Pankisi after the successful anti-crime operation carried out by the Georgian State Security and Interior Ministers last year.